History & Staff

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

Our History

Our History

The Lucas Family has a rich history as unique as the families they’ve served for over a century.

In the 1860’s, Lucas Funeral Homes got its start in Funeral Service when Wingate H. Lucas first sold pine boxes/coffins from his wagon and homestead. Later this endeavor culminated with three of his sons (Wink, Dave, and Joe) opening a general store in Grapevine, Texas. The general store sold groceries, dry goods, farm implements and coffins. 

In 1910, both Wink and Dave died - and, J.T. Lucas, Sr. (Joe)  acquired the Lucas Funeral Business, along with the Grocery, Furniture, and Implements. J.T. Lucas, Sr., better known as “Uncle Joe” had five sons, of which four became Morticians: Robert Lee (Bob) was the first to receive his license; Wingate Clemons (Mann) was the second son; and then J.T., Jr. and L.B. (Zippy) Lucas. Over the years Lucas Funeral Home expanded into other communities, Bob Lucas established the Ft. Worth funeral home in 1929, Zippy Lucas established the first funeral home in the City of Hurst in 1962 and J.T. Lucas continued to operate the funeral home in Grapevine.

As the older Lucas generations retired or passed away the family business was ultimately purchased by James (Jim) N. Lucas Sr., grandson of Bob Lucas. Jim along with his mother, Mildred Nimmo Lucas, sons Bobby and Jimmy, cousin Mark (Zippy's grandson) and Helen Jean (J.T. Jr's daughter) still operate the business. As North Texas has grown, so have the Lucas Family of Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. The Lucas family now serves families in Keller, Burleson, and  Mansfield (Blessing Funeral Home). In Ft. Worth the Lucas and Williams families joined together to create an African American and Caucasian Funeral Home. The Lucas family is also proud to operate Calvario Casa Funeraria on the North Side and Robertson Mueller Harper on 8th Ave next to Baylor All Saints Hospital.

Our Valued Staff

  • Zach Carnley, CFSP

    Zach Carnley, CFSP Manager/Funeral Director/Embalmer

    Zach grew up in Lampasas, TX and graduated high school from there. He then moved to Nacogdoches and attended Stephen F. Austin State University where he earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice in 2006. It was during his time at SFA that he worked part-time at a local funeral home and discovered his passion for working with families at one of their toughest times. He decided to pursue this passion and enrolled at Dallas Institute of Funeral Service where he graduated as class valedictorian in 2009. Zach is Vice-President of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, a board member of the Texas Funeral Director Association and President of the North Texas Funeral Director Association. He also serves and volunteers his time as a member of the Burleson Rotary Club, Burleson Lions Club and serves as an ambassador with the Burleson Chamber of Commerce. Zach has also been honored as both the North Texas Funeral Director Association and Texas Funeral Director Association's Young Funeral Professional of the Year. Zach resides in Burleson and has two sons, Myles and Owen.

  • Christopher D. Jones

    Christopher D. Jones Funeral Director/Embalmer

    Christopher D. Jones is from Mansfield, TX. He is a U.S. Navy Veteran who served on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN72). He graduated from Dallas Institute of Funeral Service in the spring class of 2005 where he served as class Chaplain and was a co-recipient of The Bill Pierce Award. Chris has been licensed since 2005 and maintains a dual license as Funeral Director and Embalmer.
    His mentor, the late great Dr. Gregory W. Spencer, gave Chris his start in Funeral Service at the age of 14 and it has been his passion ever since. He is the proud Father of a son and two daughters who are the apple of his eye. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his children, traveling and just relaxing.

  • Bill Conley

    Bill Conley Funeral Director

    I have been licensed in funeral service for fifty years.  Serving families in their time of need is still very important to me.
    My wife of 49 years and I have one adult daughter and two wonderful grandchildren.  I’m a member of St. Ann Catholic Church.

  • Kevin Cooksey

    Kevin Cooksey Funeral Assistant

  • Juan Merlan

    Juan Merlan Family Service Counselor

    Juan Merlan joined the Funeral Industry in the summer of 2018 after discovering the value of making funeral pre-arrangements ahead of time, after the passing of his grandparents.
    Since then, Juan has took the initiative to study and earn his PreNeed License issued by the Texas Department of Banking so that he can become a Family Service Counselor.
    Having a servant's heart, Juan volunteers at his home town church in Ranger, TX as the drummer for the Woodbridge Church Worship Band, and offers drum lessons for young upcoming drummers.
    "Every family deserves an intentional plan in place, so that they can have a healthy grief experience, and begin healing on that difficult day." - Juan Merlan

  • Janis Boterf

    Janis Boterf Administrative Assistant/Visitation Attendant

    My name is Janis Boterf. I have been working for Lucas and Blessing since December 2015. I enjoy and respect my co-workers here and am glad to be a part of this profession. I have been a resident of Burleson since 1997. I retired from Huguley Hospital where I was a telephone operator in 2013. I have also worked for Burleson and Crowley Independent School Districts as a substitute teacher and teacher's aide. I am a native of Ft.Worth but have lived in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Mississippi. After my husband retired we spent 2 years traveling around the States in an RV and are now happy to be back in Burleson.

  • Jean Crawford

    Jean Crawford Visitation Attendant